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Troy, Stettybet0, Rshaffer61, Broni, other Experts wanted...

Ferrari

Posted 22 August 2009 - 09:14 AM

Ferrari

PC SURGEON

Member

1,939 posts

I'm putting together a middle grade AMD Computer for my parents. I'm bench testing the bare essentials, as I always do, and I can't get any beep codes, video, or a post. Fans turn on cpu and video card though, so it is getting some power.

I have tried 3 different RAM modules, I'm using the correct single channel slot via the motherboard manual.Have reseated the RAM several times, but it still could be an oxidation problem on the connections.Cleared the CMOS via the jumper and I have also tried just manually removed the batteryI have tried just on board video, with no video cardI have tried leaving the RAM completely out, powered on, just to see if I can get a beep code of any kindIn addition, I have tried many different combinations of the above mentioned.

Any other suggestions? I'm thinking it is a faulty motherboard, however this sort of problem can be a power supply or CPU too right?

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rshaffer61

Posted 22 August 2009 - 02:59 PM

Ferrari

Posted 22 August 2009 - 06:13 PM

Ferrari

PC SURGEON

Topic Starter

Member

1,939 posts

Yeah, that's what I mean by "bench test". Everything is out of the case. On cardboard. I've talked to a buddy that is pretty experienced, he is thinking it is the motherboard. I ran across a topic that was like mine where the power supply was the culprit though. I may try to return both. Could be the CPU?

Frustrating.

What would help is if I could find out why there are no beep codes. Is that on the +5V side of things on the power supply? Does no beeps generally mean the motherboard is bad? I'll continue to look some things up, but it may just be easier to return. Grr.

rshaffer61

Posted 22 August 2009 - 06:51 PM

rshaffer61

Moderator

Moderator

34,114 posts

I would be looking at the MOBO also.
If the PSU is new I have connected just a HD to it and turned it on.
That will put it under a load and allow it to run.
If it runs and does not turn off then I would take it out of the equation for now.

rshaffer61

Posted 23 August 2009 - 04:02 AM

Ferrari

Posted 23 August 2009 - 02:09 PM

Ferrari

PC SURGEON

Topic Starter

Member

1,939 posts

I tried my working CM PSU from my rig, still same results. No post, no beeps. It has to be the mobo or cpu, I'm returning both. I'll keep you updated when I get the new mobo and cpu in. I'm gonna go ahead and return the earthwatts PSU which I had bought at best buy. (Don't ask). I'm gonna get the Corsair 400watt instead, it will save me some money.

I'll keep you updated. Thanks so much guys, good to have someone to confirm my trouble shooting.

Troy

Posted 23 August 2009 - 10:34 PM

Ferrari

Posted 23 August 2009 - 11:00 PM

Ferrari

PC SURGEON

Topic Starter

Member

1,939 posts

Thanks Troy, I have heard similar things. However, when searching around for motherboards, I was able to find a better Athlon II x2 for the same price. The other cpu was a Athlon 64x2, which I believe is a bit older technology and slower on the FSB or MT/s however AMD does it! Confusing.

Its been completely rearranged now. The memory I was using was used, but I doubt all 3 sticks were bad, so I bought new memory too. Also, I really like that Corsair 400 Watt with the 30 amp rail that Stettybet0 always recommends, but I like OCZ a lot, and they have a 500 Watt MODULAR PSU for the same price, so I went that direction.

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stettybet0

Posted 23 August 2009 - 11:11 PM

stettybet0

Trusted Tech

Technician

2,579 posts

I've actually been recommending that 500W OCZ a lot lately. It is similar in quality to the Corsair 400W, and outputs more 12V power (the only type that matters). For the same price (and it's modular), I'd say that's a good deal.

Ferrari

Posted 23 August 2009 - 11:15 PM

Ferrari

PC SURGEON

Topic Starter

Member

1,939 posts

I've actually been recommending that 500W OCZ a lot lately. It is similar in quality to the Corsair 400W, and outputs more 12V power (the only type that matters). For the same price (and it's modular), I'd say that's a good deal.

Yeah, you turned me onto this one as well. I've liked OCZ from the beginning of my beginning and I saw you recommend this one the other day. I took a hard look at it tonight, and thought I would give it a go, the Modular part is what makes me pull the trigger on this one.

Ferrari

Posted 26 August 2009 - 06:52 AM

Ferrari

PC SURGEON

Topic Starter

Member

1,939 posts

fenzodahl512,

Yes, that is what I was doing. Only the bare essentials were hooked up. mobo, cpu, 1 ram module, monitor, keyboard, psu. That is what I always do before I even think about putting everything in the case. If it posts in that state, I add the hard drive and optical drive. See if it posts and recognizes the hard drive, if so, I then install windows on the bench. Then, I install drivers.

The computer is actually completely done and fully functional before it is ever put in the case. This is how a buddy of mine taught me, it's more fun that way too.

Edit: And to fully answer you, I tried everything you mentioned, maybe not here in this topic, but I did try that. Pretty sure its a bad board. New stuff is on the way.